Wiggins and Froome to miss Giro D'Italia

Two of Team Sky's British contingency, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, have decided to skip next month's Giro d'Italia.

Wiggins has opted to enter the Tour of California, while Froome will instead continue preparations for his Tour de France title defence.

Brits Pete Kennaugh and Ben Swift are part of Team Sky's nine-man team.

This year's Giro begins on May 9 in Belfast with two stages in Northern Ireland before crossing into the Republic of Ireland. The 21-stage race finishes in Trieste on June 1.

British road race champion Mark Cavendish announced last week he would also miss the Giro. The Manxman, who rides for the Omega Pharma-Quick-Step team, will instead ride the tours of Turkey, California and Switzerland in preparation for the Tour de France.